Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69 Chapter 17.4 - Normal Life

"Huff….Just how many monsters have we cleared?" Nora asked, breathing heavily. She was the one I had utilized the strength of in this place.

The reason for not choosing Irina?

It was not because I was picky with her. Using fire magic meant depleting oxygen and increasing the temperature, as well as filling the place with smoke and carbon dioxide. This would mean the more we use it, the more we will feel suffocating.

That was the sole reason why I mostly refrained from using Irina's fire magic, but there were times when I deemed it good enough.

In any case, in such a manner, we reached the end of the exam after cleaning all the monsters.

Looking at the place like that, I could see a lot of people had already gathered, mostly them being high-ranking students.

The main cast was already there as well.

<Team 13. Time elapsed, 1 hour 48 minutes. 11/600>

As we heard our score, I nodded my head. The scores in the game were not given in detail, but looking at it from here, our ranking seems good enough.

With such people in my team and with this dungeon being compatible with me, this ranking was one of the best we could get right now.

And I am sure we could save at least 15 more minutes if I was the leader from the start, but it doesn't matter.

The important thing had already been accomplished. Irina learned her lesson for the future, so she will probably behave in a better way.

At the very least, she needs to learn how to cooperate. In the future, I don't want to deal with a brat who thinks she is high and might be all the time. At the very least, basic respect is essential while dealing with others.

Turning my head, I saw Irina looking at me with a slightly squinting gaze. She made her way toward me, her posture confident and her expression determined. I could sense that she had something to say, a challenge to throw my way.

"I could have done better leading this team," she stated, her voice tinged with an assertive tone. "Don't think for a moment that you're the only one capable of guiding us through."

I could see her pupils shaking slightly. She was pushing herself to put up a strong front, probably because of her pride.

"Is that so?" I simply answered, but for some reason, I was amused. Her shaking pupils and slightly flinching tone made me feel funny for some reason. "Just like last time?"

When I indirectly implied the last exam score, she scoffed, clearly not pleased with my response. Her pride was evident, but it was also clear that she was a bit taken aback by the comparison.

"Whatever," she muttered, her arms crossing over her chest as she averted her gaze. It was a classic Irina move, her tough exterior masking a mixture of irritation and reluctance.

And before I could say anything further, she turned to leave, her strides purposeful. It was clear that she didn't want to dwell on this conversation any longer, but just before she moved too far away, her voice reached my ears.

"Thanks," she muttered, almost under her breath. It was a fleeting moment of gratitude, a concession she probably didn't intend to give, but it was not something I was not expecting, nor did I want.

It was a pointless thank.

Thanking or apologizing is not something that should be expressed by words but rather by actions. By changing the things you deem lacking or by taking the consideration of the person you thank, you can actually fulfill the purpose of those words.

"Victor, how is your score?" I could hear Irina trying to talk with Victor, whose sole attention was on the girl with white hair.

"First."

"I see. You are the best as usual, huh?"

"What did you expect? Even though that trash did nothing, I alone am enough."

"Just like you."

Looking at the girl trying to get the attention of the boy she liked, I thought she might be slightly pitiful.

Just like that, the training reached its end.

******

<Combat Practice Lesson.>

THUD THUD THUD

A rapid succession of three slabs came to my face, all to get blocked by my hands.

Standing before me was our protagonist, who had a slightly downcast expression on his face. It seemed something was bothering him, and I knew what it was.

'It must be his niece, Jane.'

Remembering the little girl who almost died before my eyes, I could see where he was coming from.

In the game, that girl was dead, and we didn't have any scenes of Ethan with her, but I remember there were certain dialogues that would be triggered when Ethan was with Kaya.

But, again, this was a combat practice, not a place to think of anything else. I am not here to waste my time but get better at everything.

SWOOSH

With a smooth move, I bolted towards him, aiming at his lower abdomen. He lowered his right elbow to cover there, but it was a feint.

Since one's elbow is in the middle of the arms, to cover with the elbow, one needs to lean to the side. And this limits the movement.

THUD

With a smooth crochet, I blasted him from his jaw.

THUD THUD THUD

His body was natural, as his reflexes were honed by our spars, but that was not enough. With his brain on somewhere other, he couldn't stand my relentless assault.

THUD

"Burgh-"

As he felt a kick on his belly, he spurted salvia from his mouth.

THUD